Cleo Kirby

Cleo Kirby GRANITE FALLS Mrs. Cleo Pennell Kirby, 90, of Granite Falls, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Tuesday, July 17, 2012. She was born Jan. 13, 1922, in Alexander County to the late Folk Pennell and Maude Pennell. She was a member of Three Forks Baptist Church, Taylorsville. She attended Harris Chapel Baptist Church in Hudson. She worked as a finisher for Hylan Porcelain for more than 40 years, when she quit to care for her husband. She then worked part-time for Winn-Dixie in Granite Falls for several years. She also helped raise money for Easter Seals and the American Lung Association. Special people in her life were Robert and Bobbi Herman, of Linton, Indiana, Harold Church, of Lenoir, and Lamont Krimminger and Johnny Hart, both of Granite Falls. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul J. Kirby; two sons, Paul Eugene and Donald Javan Kirby; son-in-law, Randy Haigler; granddaughter, Teresa Lynne Kirby; three brothers; and three sisters. She is survived by two daughters, Barbara Haigler, of Granite Falls, and Donna Joplin and husband, Larry, of Hudson; son, Larry Kirby and wife, Karan, of Granite Falls; five grandchildren, Timothy Kirby, Donna Lynne Kirby, Shannon Herman, Jason Kirby and Randall Haigler; four great grandchildren, Kyle, Erin, Tanner and Karlenna Kirby; brother, Kenneth Pennell, of Taylorsville; and several nieces and nephews, as well as all the children of the neighborhood who loved to come to Mrs. Kirby's house. They always felt welcomed by her. She was a loving mother, grandmother and a wonderful cook. The funeral service will be held Friday, July 20, at 11 a.m. at Harris Chapel Baptist Church, Hudson, with the Rev. Allen Norrod officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Hills Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday, July 19, at Mackie Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Pallbearers will be Timothy, Jason, Kyle and Jerry Kirby, Harold Church and Robert Herman. Honorary pallbearers will be Randall Haigler and Tanner Kirby. At other times, the family will be at the home of her son, Larry Kirby, 160 South Main St., Granite Falls. They would like to say a special thank-you to all the staff of Caldwell County Hospice and their workers for the love and care given to their mother. Memorials may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St. NW, Lenoir, NC 28645. Mackie Funeral Home is serving the family. You may view the obituary online at www.mackiefh.com